Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz dies at 78

Dietrich Mateschitz, co-founder and owner of Red Bull, has died at the age of 78.

Red Bull confirmed Mateschitz’s pass ahead of qualifying for the US Grand Prix, where the team can claim its fifth Formula One constructors’ title.

Mateschitz founded Red Bull in the mid-1980s and turned the energy drink into a market leader, with the brand showcased through a range of extreme sports.

Having initially raced in F1 with Sauber in the 1990s and early 2000s, Mateschitz bought the Jaguar team at the end of 2004 and renamed it as a full Red Bull team for the 2005 season.

He then bought the Minardi team, renamed it Toro Rosso for 2006 and used the team as a way to train promising drivers for the Red Bull operation.

Building their operations steadily over the following years, with the signing of the likes of design expert Adrian Newey and the promotion of Sebastian Vettel’s first ever Red Bull-supported drivers, top places, victories and world titles would flow in at the end.

In fact, Vettel won four consecutive drivers’ titles from 2010 to 2013, with Red Bull also winning the constructors’ titles in each of those years.

Shortly after the arrival of the turbo-hybrid era in Formula 1, the reunion with Honda led to another winning streak, with their newest driver, Max Verstappen, winning the 2021 and 2022 drivers’ titles, and the 2022 builders are set to follow.

Currently, Red Bull has 79 pole positions, 89 race wins, six drivers’ titles and four constructors’ titles in Formula 1.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1: I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Dietrich Mateschitz, a highly respected and much-loved member of the Formula 1 family.

“He was a visionary entrepreneur and a man who helped change our sport and created the Red Bull brand known around the world.

“I will miss him very much, as well as the entire community in Formula 1, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, Red Bull and Alpha Tauri teams at this very sad time.”

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner added: “It’s very sad. What a great guy – he’s a bit of a kind. What he has achieved and what he has done for so many people around the world, across various sports, is second to none. on him.

“Many of us should be very grateful to him for the opportunities he provided, the vision he had, and the strength of character. [he had]And not to be afraid to follow dreams and chase dreams. That’s what he did here in Formula 1, proving that you can make a difference.

“We are incredibly grateful to him, everything he has done, everything he has supported us with over the years. So many drivers, so many team members, so many people on this road owe him so much.”

Asked what Verstappen’s recent title win meant for Mateschitz, Horner added: “Well, thankfully, he was able to see that. He’s been so proud of the team, incredibly proud of everything we’ve done and achieved, and he’s been a passionate supporter and a pillar of everything we do. “.